And five-sixteenths to



Jan. 24, 1928.

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Jan. 24, 1928.

S. G. CRANE AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Filed June 11, 1925 s;

4 She-ets-Sheet 2 IN1/EN TOR. fa/ma H7/v5 Jan. 24, 1928.

1,657,298 S. G. CRANE AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Filed June l1, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 50m/fz. 6. 3Q/swf BY Q A T Jan. Z4, 1928.

S. G. CRANE AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Filed June l1. 1925 46 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INI/.EN TOR. wma 9942 ATTOR EY.

Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL G. CRANE, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB, 0F THBEE-EIGHTHB TO WILLIAM W. MOORE, OF ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA, AND FIVE-SIXTEENTHS TO LUTHER F. BROBEBG, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER.

Appncaaon fea :une 11,19%. serial no. 36,429.

This invention relates to automatic water heaters, and' more particularly to' that type of heatersV `known as instantaneous heaters.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an instantaneous water heater wherein the water is Vheated by burning gas, and wherein the-usual pilot light is dispensed with.

Another object of this invention is the provision of automatic means for initiating a flow of gas and `then igniting same, and terminating the ignition at a predetermined length of time after the gas has started flowing.

Another object of this invention is the arrangement-in connection with the mechanism for initiating, igniting and burning la flow of gas, of electrical actuating mechanisms, arranged to be controlled by the flow of water after a valve has been opened in the water line.

Another object ot' this invention is the provision of electrical connections and mechanisms for terminating the flow of burning gas, arranged to be controlled by stopping the flow of water after a valve has been closed in the water line.

A further object of this invention is the arrangement in connection with the mecha- 80 nism for stopping the flow of gas after the flow of water has been stopped, ot' automatic safety means for also terminating the flow of burning gas in the event of premature cessation of electric current.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, wherein reference is made to the accompanying draw-ings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation ot a water heater embodying my invention.

the lower portion of the water coil, gas burner, and electrical actuating mechamsms, the several mechanisms being shown 1n their Fig. 2 1s an enlarged elevational View of` normal positions, i. e. as theywould appear when the heater is idle and the valve in the 'water line closed.

. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing several of the electrical mechanisms in the positions assumed while the gas and water are flowing.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the several circuits utilized for actuating the several electrical mechanisms, and

through the outlet lpipe 8 with a faucet 9,

which is `intended to represent any faucet of the usual household water system. The other extremity of the copper coil 6 is connected through the inlet pipe 10 with the city reservoir or an elevated storage tank so that the Water supplied to the coil 6 is under pressure tending to maintainthe coil filled. As best shown in Fig. 2 a valve 11 i's arranged in the inlet pipe 10 to control the flow of water from its source to the coil 6. This valve 11 seats upon a flange 12 `within the vertical pipe section 13 whenever the water pressures on opposite sides of the valve are substantially equal, a. light spring 14 being arranged to force the `valve 11 downwardly into engagement with the flange 12 at such times. This occurs, for example, whenever the faucet 9 is closed, the water from the reservoir completely filling the outlet pipe 8 and coil 6 until the Vpressure on the upper side of the valve 1l is substantially equal to the pressure on the lower side of the valve. Then whenever the faucet is opened the pressure on the upper side of the valve is lessened and the pressure of the water against the lower face of the valve 11 will lift the valve from its seat movable contact 16 and itorcing it away fronr upon the `flange 12, and the water will Allow through the inlet pipe l() into the coil 6 and thence to the faucet. rlhis automatic lifting ot the valve 11 is utilized to initiate the action of several electrical mechanisms and ignitethe gas at the gas burner 7, as hereinafter described. A master switch including the stationarycontactdl an'd-n'rovable con-k tact 16 is held in open position by the valve 2 stem 1la whenever the valve 11 is in closed posit-ion,V an insulated block 11G-on the* lower` extremity of' the valvestem Yrestingr`v uponrt'he the set screw 17 carried by tl.i,estationary switch member 15 (note Figi. Whenz however, thev valve 11 is-liftedthe it, coming water the block 11C is moved upwardly*permittingsthe movable Contact 16v4 to engage the set screw17 and complete a orr-`-` cuit through the stationary switch member 15. Upon theclosinget the, master switch the solenoid. coil llris energized to. 'draw its armatruf-e l9fitron1r theposition shownin Fig?.

3 against the-tension ot the coil spring. v20

'3 surrounding theoiuter portionot' the arm ture andaabuttiugf at ,its extremities against the fixed lnaclretk 2 1` and; the adjustable tensioning plate .22 upon the armature. The `.circuittor energizing the solenoidv 18j l is best shown in Fig. 57 a wire extending from the fixed sw1tch-inember 15 to and through thefsolenfoid coil landv thence to the. slidable switch member 24,v which switch` member is yadapted tofengage within the 11 spring switch prongl 25 when in. its outer position. The...switch; prong 25 i'sv directly connected bythe wire.,26 with the` outlet wire 2 7. The inlet wirel 28 leads directly to the movable switch Contact 16r of themaster switch7 anc accordingly, wheneverV the mas ter switchis closed and the; slidable switch member 24, engages the( switch prong! 25 the current can passthrough the solenoid-coil 18. andrdraw the armature l19 inwardly. In such inward movementthe arnlature` 19 moves theslidableswitch member 24 out of engagementv with the switch prong 2,5 and so brealrsthe circuit'energizingthe solenoid 1,8... This movement oit tie slidable switch meinberj24' is accomplished by. the engagement ot the insulated arm 29 with. the inner lug-30 extending upwardly from the slid able switchmember. As bestshown in Fig. 4 the arm 29. extendsrlaterally tronrthe spring adjusting plate 22 carried by the ary mature-.19 andvezitends in the path ort the nition mechan-isnnns hereinafter d lugs aindl, upon the slidable Vswitch member 24, as well as` into position to` en.-

the upperwextremity 32' of tue .perkV dulum Sutilized vin the timing ofthe ig*- nscribed.. Another insulated arm S21ei1tends iter-ally from. the armaturefl). into the space be-A tween the .biurcat-ed armsfl of the lgas valvelev-cr 3417;(noterFigs., 2;-4) controlling opening the valve in so doing` to permit the flow olf Agasto the` burner.

. Simultaneously with the energization of the solenoid 18'to attract its armature 19 the primary winding of the transformerV coils 37 and 3S are energizedV and thereupon attract the pivoted armature 39, swinging it from the position shown in Fig. 2 tothe. position shown in Fig'. 3 against the. tension of thev coil spring- 40., The upward Swinging mo vement of' the armature 39 is utilized to effect a latching of the: armature 19 in its; innermost position, as shown in Fig. 3. A latch 41 is pivotally mounted upon the free, ex-

tremi-ty Vot the armature 39 and carries-at its upper extremity a. roller 424 adapted to. enter a notch 43 in the inner extremity of the armature 19. By virtue of this. construction the movement of the slidahle switch member 24 away from the switch prong 25 to break the circuit energizing the solenoid 18 will not serve to immediately return the( arma.-l vture 19, to its outermost positionybecause the latch member v41 eng @es in the notch 43 of` the armature 19 as ong as the swingingV p.

armature 39. egt'` transformer coils remainsv V1n elevated position, and, of course,suc-hwv elevated position is dependent upon` the GOD- tinuation of the flow of current through the transformer coils. The crcuitfor energizing the primary windxg'of the transformer coils comprises, a wire, 44 leerlinge;r from the sta- Y tionary master switch Contact y15 to'J one of the transformer coils, thence to vthe. other coil and thence to, the. outlet wire 2.7 (note Fig. 5).. The. inlet wirey 28 is directly con.-`

nected with the movable.. master switch conlll.)

tacty 16 so'V that` the. circuit is. completed to.

energize the transformer coils as long as the.

movable switch member 1,6. engages the sta tionary contact 15.,

The transformer,coils37 "and 38 are util y,

'lized to. provide a low voltage current tothe ignition mechanism, whereby the gas flowing from the burner- 7 isV automatically lgnited.` serving asa step down transformer to supyply a low voltage current for operatino the spark coil 45., The spark coil 45f may Y ot" anyy desired constract-ion.` andthe spark coil- .ntilized inFord automobiles has beenfound to lSatisfact-.orily operateL .in my improved heater. .The passage of cur-rent through the primary winding'of the transformer coils 37 and 38. upon closing of the master switch :,esmes .causes a low voltage current to pass from the secondary winding of the transformerv Y ing arm29 engages the upper extremity 32 v 47 and 48.

of the pendulum 33 as the armature 19 is attracted within the solenoid 18, tilting such pendulumpuntil the arm 29 can pass thereover .to the position shown in Fig. 3. This tilting of the pendulum 33 sets the pendulum vibrating for a predetermined length of time dependent upon the extent of tilt given the pendulum as well as upon the position of the center lof gravity of the pendulum relatively .to itsfulcrum. As the pendulum vibrates it alternately engages the spring contacts 47 and 48 which are connected in series in the secondary circuit `of the transformer coils 37 and 38,. thereby forming a single pole `.switch and turns the currentinto the primary winding of `the spark coil 45 upon the oscillation of the pendulum 33, causing an intermittent-current through the spark coil and onward by induction to the spark plug 46. This intermittent passage of the current from the secondary winding of the transformer through the spark coil continues until the pendulum has narrowed its vibration to such an extent as no longer to engage the spring contacts 47 and 48. The weighted end of the'pendulum 33 may be adjusted up or down so as to allow the desired timing of the 0scillations of the` pendulum and a sure and positive contact with the spring contacts The circuit for intermittently lfiring the spark plug 46 for a predetermined length of time comprisesthe secondary winding 49 of the transformer coils, connected at one extremity by the wire 50 with the spring contact pieces 47 and 48 and connected at its oppositeextremity through the Wire 5l and spring bracket 52 with the primary coil 53 of the spark coil 45. One terminal '46" of the spark plug is also connected through the 4wire 54 with the secondary winding of the transformer. The other terminal 46b of the spark plug is connected through the wire 55 with the secondary winding of the spark coil. The pendulum 33 is also connected, as bythe wire 56, with one of the terminals of the spark coil. Accordingly, no current passes to the spark coil from the transformer winding 49 except when the Vmay be adjusted to admit an -contacts 47 and 48, and sparks will pass between the terminals 46". and 46b of the spark plug'intermittent'lyduring the vibration of the pendulum.

By properly positioning the .adjustable weighted end of the pendulum 33 and iving a sufficient impulse to the pendulum y the lateral arm 29 of the armature 19, the sparkv plug 46 will be intermittently fired for al length of time suiiicient to insure vthe. ignition of the gas at the burner 7. Thus, the

gas valve 34 is opened simultaneously with the initiation of the vibration of the pendulum 33 (both being controlled by the armature 19) Vand thereupon the gas flows through Bpl the pipe 36 to the air mixer below the burner 7 and thence to the burner, whence it issues through the usual apertures in the burner.

. The firing of the spark plug must therefore continue until the gas `issuing from the burner is ignited. The continued firing of the spark plug after such ignition of the gas'is unnecessary, andthe duration ofvir bration of the pendulum is preferably timed soV thatthe firing of the spark plug continues only for a short time after the gas has been ignited. c A

The burning gas in the burner 7 heats the water passing through the coil 6 yso that hot water issues from the faucet 9 as long as the burner 7 is lighted. The degree of heatV transmitted to the water in the coil 6 may be controlled through the gas kvalve 35, which desired amount of gas to the burner 7 so t at it will burn at anydesired height of flame.

When suiicient hot waterhas been drawn from the faucet 9, the faucet is closed, and thereupon theflow of gas to the burner as well as the flow of water to the coil 6 is automatically shut oil'. When the faucet 9 is loo closed the pressure of the water ou the upper v side of the valve 11 will equalize the pressure on the lower side of the valve, and then the light spring 14 will forcethe valveinto engagement with .its seat 12, stopping the flow of water to the coil 6. The downward movement of the valve stem 11a brings they insulated block 11c into engagement with the movable member 16 of the master; switch, swinging the switch member 16 out of eugagement with the stationary switch member 15 and breaking lthe circuit then flowing to the primary windings of the transformer coils 37 and 38. Vhen the transformer coils are thus defenergized the spring 40 swings 3 to its outer position as shown in Fig. 2..

During the return movement of the armatun'lz its arm 9.2: swings. the" gas valve lever 345km sphntlo'n the flowof' gasA to the burner 7,

and accordingly, theiwaber within the. coil 6 is no longer heated. K The return movement olfv thearmature.y 191 is` also: utilized to return thgfslidable switch vmember 24 into engage'- ment with the switch-'prong to enable the refenergizaton ofthe solenoid? I8v Whenever the valve llis. again opened by the flow of: Water after theifaucet 9 isv r'e-opened. The

labora-l arm 29L engagesfthe upstanding lug 31: on fthe slidable switch member durin the return passage of the armature 19 and s idesthe switchv member 24 so that its outer eX- tremi-ty.- entersthe switch prong 25. The.

lateral armV 29-also engages vthe upper 'ex-fy tremity 32 ofthe pendulum 33 during' its return movement, but. since no current is passingthroughthetransiormer coils 37 and 38', thevibration, of the pendulum 33 doesl no` haran.l Y

The controlling of theI actuation of the several electrical mechanisms through the medium of theloWfof Wateristhe usual and desiredfmethodof cont-rol. But in the interest of' safety I also provide means for the cutting olf of the iiow of gas to the burner should atanyI time-theflow of electric current'to the apparatusibefstopped through ac'- cident or malice. This will prevent a steam:

expliasionn within the coil Gi or outlet pipe. 8

shouldthe faucet9 be closed and the burner 7 continue to heat the Water then stationary Withiny the coil 6. This electric safety means depends upon the position of the. la-tching Y member ll within thenotch 43 of thek armature 19. Sincethe latch member @L1 is maintained in elevated positiononly as long` as theswinging armature 39'is elevated, and the elevation off such armature continues'only as long as the electric current flows through the primary winding ofthe transformer coilsL 37- andr38, the cessation lofi the current will. automatically release the armature 39 from its raised positionV andl permits its being low# ered by the coil spring 40. The lowering of the arl'naturey 39ffremoves the roller7 42 of they latch member 41l out of the notch 43 in the armature 19 and permits theco'il springQO.: to

return the armature 191to` its outermost po-l sition. Duringt-his return' movementiof the Y armature the gas valve lever 34 is swung to: shut oli the flow of' was to the burner 7.

The several electric actuatingY mechanisms maybe suitably` mounted WithinA a container 60fwhicli may be suspended, as by the screws` 6l, from the'inlet pipe l0 orfother suitable portion of theheater; 'y

The extent of movement ofthe valve l1' when the faucet 91is openedimafy be regir lated byfproviding an adjusting screw 70' Vin 'the' stiatfi'onaryg switch' membery 15 to engage the'block 1lVo carried bythe valve stem 11??.Y This also controls the `extent of movement Vof lthe movable: switch Lamm f member y16 of the master switch. f

While a will @apparent that ai@ a1.- a

trated" embodiment of my invention' disclosed'Qis. wel-l calculated toy adequately fulllthe objects andy advantages rimarily' stated, it is te. be miefsuwd that inven tion suspeetibl'e to varia/tion, modificaiorr and Vchange within the spiritand'scope thesubjoined claims:v

Havingdescribed my invention, I'claim l. aA water heater, 4a Water pipe com nected with a source of water supply, a burner VarrangedV adjacent`- the Water pipe, a

valved' supply pipe leading to the gas burn-x er, and electricallyactuatedineens for ini# tiating the vflow of gas to the burner under the controlv of the How of water in' the water pipe, including a solenoid oeil arranged to beeifiergizedv when the How of water begins@v an armature connected -to the "s: supply valve and arranged to be move u energizat'ion of said coil, and independent means 'formaintaining the armature in theV attracted `position, `whereby' the gas supply valvemay lie-'maintainedin openv position.

.w y 2." In a water heater, a watery pipe ,cou-A i1eeteclf`with a' source of water supply, a gas burner arranged adjacent the water pipe, a

valved supply;V burner, 'and e yinitiating the flow of gas' to the burner unpipe leading to the s' etrically actuated means r` der the control ofthe flow of water in the water pipe,` including a sol'encidcoil arranged to be energized when the flow' of Water begins, an armature connected' to the gas supply valve and` arranged to be moved upon the energization of said coi-l", 'means' de-energization of` the coil energized when the .W of Water begins, an

armature connected to the gas supply valve and arranged to be moved upon the energizatio'ni of'. said coil, means operable upon suoli movement of the armature to cle-energizelsaid coil, and electrical means for holdingr fthe armature in its attracted position after the de-energizati"onV of `said coil, in# cluding' afl-coil Vand a movable member ar`` ranged: to be attracted when thelast men# tioned co-il is energized, said! movable membei' carrying a latch adapted to engage said armature; f

der the control ot tliewflow o'l' Water inthe water pipe, including a coil arranged to be energized when the flow ot water begins, an armature connected to the gas supply valve A and arranged to be moved upon the enei gization ol said coil, means operablelupon such movement ot the armature to de-energize said coil, and electrical means for holding the armature in its attracted position after the dennergization of said coil, including a transformer coil arranged adjacent said armature, a pivote'd member adapted to be swung toward the transformer coil when energized, and a latch member mounted upon said pivoted member and adapted to engage said armature.

5. In a Water heater, a Water pipe, a gas burner arranged adjacent the Water pipe, means under the control ot the 'llow of Water in the pipe for initiating the [low of gas to the burner, and means Jfor igniting the gas at the burner including a spark plug mounted adjacent the burner, a spark coil connected with the spark plug, and means torenergizing said spark coil, including vibratH ing mechanism controlling the passage of current to the spark coil and arranged to be set in motion by said first mentioned means.

6. In a water heater, a water pipe, a gas burner arranged adjacent the Water pipe, means under the control of the flow of Water in the pipe for initiating the ioiv of gas tothe burner, and means for igniting the gas at the burner operable for a predetermined length of time after the operation of said irst mentioned means, including a spark plug mounted adjacent the burner, a spark coil connected therewith, and means for intermittently energizing the spark coil including a vibrator adapted to be set in motion by said first mentioned means.

7. In a Water heater, a Water pipe, a gas burner arranged adjacent the Water pipe, means under the control of the ioiv of Water in the pipe for initiating the flow of gas to the burner, and means for igniting the gas at the burneroperable for a predetermined length of time after the operation of said first mentioned means, including a spark plug mounted adjacent the burner, a spark Y coil connected therewith. and means lor intermittent-ly energizing the spark coil including a pendulum adapted to be rocked by said first mentioned means.

8. In a Water heater, a Water coil, a gas burner arranged beneath the coil, means for supplying gas to the burner Whenever desired, and means for igniting the gas at the burner including a spark plug` mounted adjacent the burner, a spark coil connected therewith, and means for intermittentlyenergizing the spark coil, including a vibrator arranged to be set in mot-ion when the flow 'ot gas to the burner is initiated.

.9. In a Water heater, a Water coil., a as burner arranged beneath' the coil.,` means or sujiplying gas to the burner whenever desired, and means for igniting the gas at the burner including a spark plug mounted adj ac'ent `the burner, a spark-coil connected therewith, means for intermittently energizing the spark coil, including a transformer, normally open connections between the transformer and spark coil, and means for intermittently closing said connections, including a pendulum arranged to be rocked simultaneously with the initiation of the flow of gas to the burner.

10. In a Water heater, a Water coil, a gas burner arranged therebeneath, and means for supplying gas to the burner upon the initiation of the flow of Water through the coil, including a valved gas supply pipe leading to the burner, a lever secured upon the valve, electrical means for rocking the lever, including a solenoid coil arranged to be energized upon the initiation of the flow of Water through the coil, an armature connected With the gas valve lever and adapted to be attracted toward the solenoid when energized, means operated upon such movement of the armature for de-energizing the solenoid, and means for latching the solenoid in its attracted position controlled by the tlow of Water through the coil.

1l. In a Water heater, a Water coil, a. gas burner arranged therebeneath, and means for supplying gas to the burner upon the initiation of the flow of Water through the coil, including a valved gas supply pipe leading to the burner, a lever secured upon the valve, electrical means for rocking the lever, including a solenoid coil arranged to be energized upon the initiation of the flow of Water through the coil, an armature connected with the gas valve lever and adapted to be attracted toward the solenoid when energized, means operated upon such movement oi the armature for de-energizing the solenoid, and electrical means for latching the armature in its attracted position arranged to be energized as long as the flow of Water through the coil is continued.

12. In a Water heater, a Water coil, a gas burner arranged therebeneath, and means for supplying gas to the burner upon the initiation of the tlovv o'l' water through the coil, including a valved gas supply pipe leading to the burner, a lever secured upon the valve, electrical means for rocking the lever, including a solenoid coil arranged to be energized upon the initiation of the flow of water through the coil, an armature connect- 1 g memes ed with the gas valve lever und adapted `v`to coil, a member arranged to be attracted tol beattraeced towardy the solenoid when enerwerd the coil when energized, and Aa latch 1o gized, means operated 'upon fsueh movement mounted upon Ysaid member 'and arranged to of the armature for 'de-energizing the soleengage the armature when in its attracted 5 noid, and electrical Ineens for latohing the position. a f armature in its attracted position 'arranged In witness whereof I hereunto set Ymy to be energized as long as the flow of water hand. Y

through the coili's oontinuedV7 inoluding a f SAMUEL G. 'CRANE'. 

